Les Grottes (20469)
Haiti, Caribbean

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2008

National site name: Les Grottes

Central coordinates: Latitude: 20.0265, Longitude: -72.6848

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 50 to 195

Area of KBA (km²): 0.79499

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Les Grottes are sheltered in the limestone cliffs on the terrace system of Île de la Tortue, located on the northeast part of Morne Monde and Morne Pois Congo. It is in the la Tortue commmune, Departement du Nord'Ouest. The land is exploited by farmers that plant plantains and bananas, coffee, beans. Access from the main land is from Port Vincent to Aux Palmistes. Identified as historic landscapes and monuments to be protected by the Ministry of Culture and Communication and in 1997 by the Route 2004 project. This IBA will consist of three caves and surroundings where the Atlantic Ocean and marine birds can be observed. Nearby Aux Palmistes (Lat: 20.01667 Long: -72.73333) and surroundings are densely populated with about 10,000 people. It counts religious missions, schools, health centers, stores, and a radio station.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Additional biodiversity: Its avifauna includes more than 40 species with 3 unique forms: Tortue Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris tortugae), (Coereba bananivora nectarea), (Loxigilla violacea maurella) not found on the main land. It is an important area for migratory species including transiting species. Non-bird biodiversity: Endemic subspecies do Île de la Tortue Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris tortugae); Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola nectarea); Greater Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla violacea maurella). Marine migratory species need to be inventoried, this includes species the wetlands/mangrove

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: Although the island of La Tortue shelters more than 200 species of plan, vegetation differs from east to west, north to south due to different edaphic (soil and climate) conditions. In this proposed IBA, vegetation changes with the landscape. On the terraces made of eocene-miocene limestone vegetation consist mainly of introduced/cultivated plants that are fallowed and use by goat mainly although cattle can be found. On steep slopes between two terraces, vegetation tends to be composed of epiphites or xerophitic plants. Native and endemic plants include: Acrocomia aculeata (Palmae), Fagara pterota (Rutaceae), Tillandsia sublaxa (Bromeliaceae), Chrysobalanus icaco (Rosaceae), Thouinia racemosa (Sapindaceae), Guettarda turpinii (Rubiaceae), Smilax sp. (Liliaceae); Wedelia gracilis (Compositae), Setaria tenax (Gramineae), Wedelia jacquini (Compositae), Solanum ciliatum (Solanaceae), Paspalum ciliatifolium (Gramineae), Cenchrus pauciflorus (Gramineae), Xylosma coriaceum (Flacourtiaceae), Phyllanthus nobilis (Euphorbiaceae), Passiflora cuprea (Passifloraceae), Baccharis dioeca (Compositae), Scaevola plumierii (Goodeniaceae), Guettarda tortuensis (Rubiaceae), Acanthospermum hispidum (Compositae) Jussiaea erecta (Oenotheraceae), Pera glomerata (Euphorbiaceae), Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae), Setaria setosa var. paractenioides (Gramineae), Hyperbaena glauciramis (Menispermaceae), Caesalpinia secundiflora (Leguminoseae), Nephrolepis biseirata (Polypodiaceae), Myrtus bahamensis (Myrtaceae), Bunchosia lucida (Malpighiaceae). A number of plants had been introduced such as Coleus amboinicus (Labiateae), plantains and bananas, coffee, coconuts, corn, beans, grapes, mangoes, citrus etc.

Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland | urban/industrial/transport

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)	67
Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic)	33

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Habitat destruction, introduced animals, conversion to agriculture, fuelwood extraction, elimination of bird species, demography, recreational activities, sedimentation and erosion.

Additional information